BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 8, 2017) - The LIU Post baseball team came away with a split of a doubleheader against East Coast Conference foe University of Bridgeport on Saturday at the LIU Post Baseball Field.

The Pioneers (13-12, 5-3 ECC) dropped a tough 12-3 decision in the opener, but bounced back with a 2-1 win the latter contest.

Game #1: LIU Post 3, Bridgeport 12
In the opener, the Pioneers trailed 5-0 midway through the game, until a three-run spurt in the bottom of the fifth closed the gap to a two-run game.

Senior outfielder Kenny Daley (Glenwood Landing, N.Y.) lined an RBI triple to center in the frame. He also scored on a wild pitch, along with junior shortstop Joe Spitaleri (Levittown, N.Y.).

However, the Purple Knights kept up the offensive intensity and scored seven runs in the final two innings to pull away for the victory.

Sophomore pitcher James Varela (Levittown, N.Y.) took the loss in the decision for LIU Post. He tossed 4.2 innings of eight-hit, five-run (four earned), four-walk, three-strikeout ball.

Senior pitcher Chris Anderson (West Islip, N.Y.) and sophomore pitcher John Michelli (Whitestone, N.Y.) each had a scoreless relief appearance for the hosts.

Game #2: LIU Post 2, Bridgeport 1
In the nightcap, sophomore pitcher Brian Kavanagh (East Meadow, N.Y.) shined in his first start of 2017. He went 6.1 innings, allowing just two hits, one run and four walks with four strikeouts.

The Pioneer offense took care of the rest. Daley gave the green and gold the early lead in the first, after lacing a two-out RBI double down the first-base line.

Then, in the fourth, sophomore infielder Sal Geraci (Bayport, N.Y.) hit an RBI single through the left side, which plated sophomore outfielder Dave Brehm (Bohemia, N.Y.) to make it a 2-0 game.

Though Bridgeport (11-12, 6-4 ECC) eventually cut the deficit in half in its final turn at-bat, senior pitcher Dan Jagiello (West Islip, N.Y.) was summoned from the bullpen and converted his fifth-consecutive save opportunity.

Jagiello faced just one batter in his outing. With the tying and go-ahead runs on base, he induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play from UB's Ben Torres (Hollywood, Fla.) to seal the win.

Head Coach Mike Gaffney and his LIU Post squad return to action Sunday (Apr. 9), when they continue their four-game set with University of Bridgeport at 11 a.m. in Bridgeport, Conn.